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Queen Anne's County Judge of the Orphans' Court {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

DUTIES: Judges of the Orphans’ Court supervise the administration of estates. The Orphan’s Court shares jurisdiction with the Circuit Court over guardianships of minors. Orphan’s Court Judges conduct hearings that involve probate and guardianship disputes, review and act upon administration accounts, and request payments from estates or guardianships.TERM: Four years with no term limits.HOW ELECTED: Elected countywide.

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  • Candidate picture

    Kimberly Jean Cascia
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Don McKeough
    (Dem)

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    John T. McQueeney, Jr.
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Laurie J. Plemons
    (Rep)

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    Barry A. Schwartz
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Jeff H. Starling
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Roger Twigg
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Crystal Woodward
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

EXPERIENCE: How does your experience prepare you for the duties of this judgeship?

PRIORITIES: What are. your priorities for this judgeship?

CHALLENGES: What is the greatest challenge facing the Orphans' Court system and how will you address it?

I have had the privilege & honor to serve the citizens of QAC as Judge since 2010. My goal has been for equal, fair & proper administration of the law. I’ll continue to draw on my experience as a small business owner, farmer, wife, mother of two & guardian of my special needs daughter, and my 20+ years as a financial consultant in estate, trust & financial planning to apply common sense & compassion to the cases before me. I humbly ask for your consideration & vote.
Caring, practical & respectful of the law: That is my commitment to the citizens of QAC. I promise, if re-elected to continue to be a good listener, carefully examine all the evidence & review the facts before making my final decisions based on the law. I will remain fair & impartial, uphold the integrity & independence of the judiciary & refrain from political activity. I have served as a Board Member of MAJOC & the Conference since 2011, elected by my peers & appointed by the MD Chief Justice.
Often the testimony heard in our court is heart wrenching from families dealing with loss & grief. I feel am uniquely qualified to continue serving as your Judge, having 16 years’ experience resolving disputes fairly, & having the expertise that is required & necessary to see that the decedent’s wishes are met, while administering Maryland law. I have 16 years of training at the Maryland Judicial Institute & I never miss a day in court. With your vote, I would be honored to serve another term.
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Campaign Phone 410-490-8425
Campaign Email JTM@atlanticbb.net
County Commissioner for 4 years-- Liquor Board 15 years to present-- Animal Control Board 16 years. Bailiff for Circuit Court 15 years. Making decisions for QAC citizens since 1994. 2 Sons both lawyers (Chris Marine Jag and Joey practice on KI)
Helping citizens during rough time with legal matters.
Being available for the citizens . Attendance hasn't been great. I haven't missed a meeting on the Liquor board in 15 years and attended over 300 Commissioner meetings without missing any. I will be there for our citizens.
Campaign Phone 4108292053
Campaign Email VoteLaurie4QAC@gmail.com
Campaign Mailing Address PO Box 342
Chester, MD 21619
As a Professional Genealogist, I have spent years researching wills and probate records in Queen Anne’s County, developing a deep familiarity with the documents and family histories that shape estate matters. Through this work, I have also assisted family members and friends in preparing their own wills and in clearly communicating their wishes to loved ones, reinforcing my commitment to thoughtful planning and responsible stewardship of family legacies.
To protect the assets of decedent's estates and ensure proper distribution to beneficiaries, beneficiaries, and heirs; Ensuring adherence to state laws regarding the administration of estates.
Managing emotionally charged probate litigation and resolving complex estate disputes.
Campaign Phone 202-253-0202
Campaign Email barry4orphansct@gmail.com
I am an attorney who worked in the eDiscovery area which required an incredible focus on detail. This lends well in working with intricacies of estates to be certain the will of the decedent is properly administered.

I am currently president of my community HOA. This position evidences my abilities to work towards consensus that are necessary in working with the other two judges on the Orphans' Court bench.
My number one priority is to fulfill the obligations of the court to the best of my ability. My second priority will be to, as necessary, to educate those who come before the court in the workings of the court. Lastly, I will endeavor to participate in appropriate opportunities in QAC to educate people about the court.
The greatest challenge is people don't know what the Orphans' Court is and only learn about it when they are forced to find out due to a family death. Judges from the court can be invited to join community forums to discuss the court's functions and the expectations of those who come in contact with the court.
Campaign Phone 4109347067
Campaign Email jeff.starling1@gmail.com
I hold a Master of Public Administration and have firsthand experience closing out estates, giving me a practical understanding of the probate process. For the past 10 years in the mortgage industry, I have helped families navigate complex financial matters, often involving properties in probate. This experience has prepared me to approach the duties of the Orphans’ Court with fairness, diligence, and compassion.
My priorities as a Judge of the Orphans’ Court are to ensure the probate process is fair, efficient, and accessible to families during difficult times. I am committed to careful review of estate matters, protecting the interests of beneficiaries, and maintaining transparency and integrity in the administration of estates.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Orphans’ Court is that many families don’t understand the probate process while also dealing with the loss of a loved one. Having experienced that loss myself when my son passed away as well as other loved ones, I understand how difficult that time can be. As a judge, I will focus on fairness, careful review of estate matters, and making sure families feel the court is accessible and working for them.
Campaign Phone 410-365-6449
Campaign Email twigg.roger@gmail.com
Being an Orphans’ Court Judge takes more than legal knowledge; it requires patience and genuine empathy for families navigating difficult times. My service as a QAC District Court Commissioner and my 30+ years in business management have given me the unique blend of administrative experience and compassion needed for the role of Orphans’ Court Judge. I have built a career based on being fair-minded while helping others resolve their conflicts and work through tough negotiations.
My priorities for this judgeship are to remain fair and unbiased for each case while upholding the law and honoring the deceased person’s wishes. This requires me to interpret and apply the law with compassion and integrity while maintaining the independence and political neutrality of the court. This also requires me to provide education about the law to those involved in a case so that they understand the probate process and its outcomes.
Fear of the unknown. Many people do not understand the probate process and its potential costs and inconveniences. I will provide basic education to help them understand and navigate the probate process, making the court feel less impersonal and intimidating. By making it easier to understand complex laws, I can help people to protect the assets their loved ones worked hard for. I will treat people with compassion, respect, empathy, and sensitivity, remembering that my decisions affect lives.
Campaign Email crydenjack@aol.com
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